Negotiating London Underground Where The Paths Divide

The Bakerloo line has some of the most interesting curves and pathways on the way to the platforms. This is the Bakerloo line at Piccadilly Circus, looking down the paths that lead to the platforms.

Now which way do I go if I want to get to my destination? Ah, there just by where the paths divide are handy lists of the stations along the route.

Problem solved.

However, negotiating London Underground is a pain sometimes. Mostly it is OK, but sometimes not.

You are in the innards of the Underground and you get off at a certain stop.

Now you need to change lines and know you need to be on the Boogaloo line.

You look to see which way you should go to get to your destination.

You see a sign on the platform that says in this direction is Boogaloo North.

Over here in this other direction is the sign for Boogaloo South.

Terrific, but please list the stations along the route each way. I do not have a mental map of the tube in my head to tell me which way..

Ah but surely I have a map to tell me whether my destination is north of south of where I am.

Yes, I do. But the routes of the train lines on the normal tube map are shown on a schematic map.

Compare this schematic with the non-schematic.

Now you see the problem.

Of course, once you get used to getting from A to B via C, or D or wherever, then you learn.